Automatic hook type coupler



Oct. 15, 1968 e. w. COPE 3,405,311

AUTOMATIC HOOK TYPE COUPLER Filed Oct. 6, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor:

y W. Cope FIGZ his Attorney Oct. 15, 1968 G. w. COPE AUTOMATIC HOOK TYPE COUPLER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 6, 1965 29 Inventor:

Geoffrey W. Cop e his Attorney Oct. 15, 1968 3, w, COPE 3,405,811

AUTOMATIC HOOK TYPE COUPLER Filed Oct. 6, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 15 Inventor:

FIG.9 Geoffrey W. Cope his Attorney United States Patent 3,405,811 AUTOMATIC HOOK TYPE CQUPLER Geoffrey W. Cope, Williamsville, N.Y., assignor to Symington Wayne Corporation, Salisbury, Mi, a corporation of New York Filed Oct. 6, 1965, Ser. No. 493,383 17 Claims. (Cl. 213-100) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A pair of automatic hook type railway couplers each having pivotally mounted in its head an unlocking cam and a lock, the cam in uncoupling acting on both hooks for swinging them to uncoupling position and the lock on coupling locking the hook of the mating coupler in coupling position, an uncoupling lever on each head actuatable manually or automatically for swinging both hooks to uncoupling position through the unlocking cam while releasing the hook of the mating coupler from the lock, and an operative connection between the levers when the couplers are coupled for enabling actuation of one to actuate both in unison, the operative connection permitting the swing of the hooks to be so restricted that the couplers cannot be uncoupled unless both hooks are swung to uncoupling position.

This invention relates to automatic couplers for railway cars.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved railway coupler which not only couples automatically but, as opposed to present standard couplers, is adapted for automatic uncoupling and, when uncoupled, is always in condition for coupling.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved automatic coupler of the tightlock type which is adapted by mounting suitable couplings, to enable service lines between cars to be connected and disconnected automatically incident to the automatic mechanical coupling and uncoupling of the cars.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an automatic coupler of the tightlock hook type which not only is automatically uncoupleable but has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than standard couplers of the tightlock type.

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic hook type couplers which, when coupled, have their hooks positively locked against uncoupling without preventing both hooks from swinging to release position in an uncoupling operation initiated at either coupler.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic hook type coupler which couples automatically, is uncoupleable either automatically or manually and in coupling has a greater gathering range than a standard knuckle coupler.

A further object of the invention is to provide hook type couplers having positive hook locks which are automatically applied and released respectively on coupling and uncoupling.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hook type coupler wherein a lock for a hook of a mated coupler and an unlocking cam for swinging the hooks of itself and the mated coupler to release position are connected for operation by an automatically or manually operable actuating means and the coupler, when coupled, has its actuating means so connected to that of the mated coupler that the operation of either actuating means in an unlocking operation will release the hooks from the locks and bring both unlocking cams into play in swinging the hooks to release position.

3,405,811 Patented Oct. 15, 1968 Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter in the detailed description, be particularly pointed out in the appended claims and be illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the automatic coupler of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along lines 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along lines 44 of FIGURE 2:

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on a further enlarged scale taken along lines 66 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 are plan views of a pair of the improved couplers in coupled relation showing in sequence the movements of the actuating levers in an uncoupling operation; and

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 are horizontal sectional views corresponding, respectively, to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 showing in the sequence of those figures the action of the actuating levers on the parts of the lock operating mechanisms contained in the heads and therethrough on the hooks.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, in which like characters designate like parts, the improved automatic railway coupler of the present invention, while coupleable with hook type couplers having dilierent operating mechanisms, is most effective when used with alike or duplicate coupler and is designed particularly as a fully automatic passenger car coupler for automatic connection and disconnection of cars and their fluid and electrical train service lines. The improved coupler also can be used on freight cars for service in which it is desired to eliminate the usual manual connection and disconnection of fluid or other train service lines.

In the preferred form illustrated in the drawings, the coupler, designated as 1, has a body 2 comprised of a head 3 and shank 4. The coupler preferably is adapted to be connected for horizontal and vertical swinging or angling to an associated yoke (not shown), either directly in the manner of an A.A.R. alternate standard Type F coupler or through a radial connection (not shown), such as used with the Type H coupler, and in the latter case, as in the illustrated embodiment, will have a so-called swivel butt 5 formed of vertically spaced hinge loops 6 apertured to receive a vertical coupler shank pin (not shown) for connection for relative horizontal swinging or coupling to the radial connection.

Of the tightlock hook type, the coupler has on its head 3 a fiat or planar, vertically directed front or bufiing face 7, interrupted centrally by a horizontally or laterally elongated mouth or slot 8 of a forwardly opening cavity 9 in the head which connects rearwardly with the hollow interior 10 of the shank 4. A hook 11 is pivotally mounted in the cavity '9 for horizontal or lateral swinging or angling between coupling and uncoupling positions about the longitudinal centerline of the coupler, by a vertical hook or pivot pin 12 positioned on that line and anchored in and extending through the top and bottom walls 13 and 14, respectively, of the head 3. Generally of the conventional configuration of hooks of subway type couplers, such as illustrated in Cope Patent No, 3,181,708, issued May 4, 1965, the hook 11 has a stem or shank 15 merging forwardly with a head 16 which projects forwardly beyond the front face 7 of the body 2 and at the rear projects or extends laterally inwardly or inboardly of the shank 4 to provide a flat or planar vertical rear or pulling face 17. Conveniently protected by an inset wear plate 18, the pulling face 17 on the head 16 in the normal or coupling position of the hook 11 is substantially centered laterally on the couplers longitudinal centerline and coplanar with the bodys front face 7. The preferred head 16 has a nose or front end portion 19 tapering forwardly to a rounded point or tip 20 and bounded laterally or at the sides by vertically and diagonally disposed, forwardly converging surfaces, one a forwardly and inwardly sloping or inclined, outer or outboard Wedging or contact face or surface 21 and the other a forwardly and outwardly inclined or sloping, inner or inboard face or surface 22.

The hook 11 is urged toward Coupling position or outwardly or outboardly toward the outer or outboard side wall 23 of the head 3 bounding the far side of the cavity 9, by a coil torsion or other suitable backing spring 24 acting between its back 25 and the inner or inboard side wall 26 of the head at the near side of the cavity 9, which is suitably anchored, as by a vertical spring pin 27 extending through the top and bottom walls 13 and 14. The outward swing or pivotal movement of the hook to coupling position is limited by an unlocking cam 28 having an inner or inboard side or surface 29 confronting and normally engaging an outer or outboard side 30 of the stem 15 for holding the hook in coupling position under force of the spring 24. Rounded at its toe or front end 31 and its heel or rear end 32, the preferred unlocking cam 28, when the coupler 1 is coupled in coupling position to a mating coupler, lies between the stem 15 of its own and the head 16 of the hook 11 of the mating coupler, with angularly related, forwardly convergent surfaces, one the inner side 29 and the other an outer side or surface 33, respectively confronting and engaging the stem and the head.

The lock operating or locking and unlocking mechanism 34 of the coupler 1 includes, in addition to the unlocking cam 28, an actuating or operating lever 35. For enabling the lever 35 to turn the unlocking cam 28 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURES 7-9, and thereby cam or force the hooks of the coupled or mated couplers apart to uncoupling position in an uncoupling operation, both the lever and the cam are pivotally mounted on a common vertical operating shaft or mounting pin 36 and are keyed or pinned thereto for horizontal swinging in unison, as by providing on the shaft a square or otherwise out-of-round intermediate portion or part 37 and correspondingly aperturing or socketing the lever and the cam. While the cam 28 necessarily is mounted in the cavity 9, the actuating lever 35 conveniently is mounted on top of the head 3 of the body 2 so as not to encroach upon the cavity.

With the lever 35 and unlocking cam 28 mounted, respectively, above and within the head cavity 9, the preferred operating shaft 36 has its square part 37 extending between these members through the heads top wall 13. Vertically disposed and positioned with its axis on or intersecting the longitudinal centerline of the coupler body 2, the operating shaft 36 extends through both the top and bottom walls 13 and 14 of the head and is journalled or rotatably mounted therein in boss-reinforced openings 38, with freedom of rotation at the top ensured by rounding of the corners 39 of the square part 37 and interposing a spacer 49 between the lever 35 and the top wall 13. The operating shaft is insertable from the top into position and suitably held against accidental dislodgement in that position, as bya lock nut 41 at the top and a cotter key 42 at the bottom, with washers 43 interposed therebetween and the adjoining parts.

For manual operation, the actuating lever 35 is provided with a handle 44. However, if the coupler is to be fully automatic or both lockable and unlockable automatically, manual unlocking will not suffice and the actuating lever 34 must also be capable of operation electrically or otherwise from a distant control station, such as the cab of a locomotive or a suitable ground station. As exemplary of suitable distantly controllable operating means, the

coupler 1 has mounted on the upper side of its top wall 13 a fluid cylinder 45, conveniently of the fluid-advance, spring-return type, which can readily be actuated or powered by compressed air received either directly or through a booster (not shown) from one of the cars air service lines, with the supply of actuating air to it controlled by a solenoid-actuated or other suitable, distantly controllable control valve (not shown).

Operating the lever '35 in its air-powered advance stroke, the air cylinder 45 carries on the end of its piston rod 46 a clevis 47, pin-connected to a rear arm 48 of the lever rearwardly of the operating shaft 36. Conveniently mounted on the top wall 13 of the head 3 rearwardly of the operating shaft 36, the cylinder 45, to apply its operating force to the actuating lever 35 in an unlocking direction, is positioned on the outboard or outer side of the rear arm 48 and disposed generally crosswise of the head. Conveniently mounted on a mounting bracket 49 fixed to and surrnounting the top wall 13, the cylinder 45 is pivotally mounted to enable the clevis 47 to follow the arcuate movement of the connecting pin 50 as the lever 35 swings between normal or initial and unlocking positions. If it is desired that the lever 35 be operable manually by the handle 44 without restraint by the return or retract means (not shown) of the cylinder 45, the clevis 47 receives the pin 50 in a longitudinally elongated slot 51 of a length to accommodate the pins range of movement.

Rather than rely on the yieldable resistance of the springs 24 backing the hooks 11 for preventing accidental uncoupling of the coupling 1 and a mated coupler, the coupler has as part of its lock operating mechanism 34 a positive lock or look block 52. Mounted for horizontal pivoting or swinging in the cavity 9 on the outer or outboard side of the couplers longitudinal centerline, the lock 52 has on its inner free or distal end an abutment or shoulder 53, which, when the head 16 of the hook 11 of the mated coupler is fully received or seated in the space reserved for it in the far side of the cavity 9, is adapted to engage and back the heads sloping inner surface 22. In the locking position of the lock 52, the area of contact of its shoulder or head-engaging surface 53 with the surface 22 on the head 16 of the mated coupler hook preferably extends forward beyond a line perpendicular to the head surface 22 and passing through the rotative axis of the lock, so that the lock, in that position, is in effect over-center. Swingable rearwardly to free or clear the head 16 of the mated coupler hook for outward swinging in an unlocking operation under force of the unlocking cam 28, the lock 52 in locking position is engaged on its outer or proximal end 54 and backed forwardly of its pivotal axis by a stop surface 55 formed on the adjoining or outboard side Wall 23 of the cavity 9.

To enable the hooks 11 of a pair of mated couplers each to be locked in coupled position by the lock 52 carried by the other coupler, without requiring individual unlocking of both couplers in an uncoupling operation, provision is made for operatively connecting the locks of the two couplers through their actuating levers 35 to effect the release of both locks on operation of the lever of either coupler. The desired operative connection be tween the locks 52 involves a driving or positive connecting between each lock and the actuating lever 35 of its coupler. The driving connection may be direct, but this would require an opening in the top wall 13 and consequent exposure of the cavity 9 from above to the elements. It, therefore, is preferred to make the driving connection within the cavity 9. This is accomplished by mounting a lock lever 56 on the square part 37 of the operating shaft 36 above the unlocking cam 28 and immediately below the top wall 13. Thus Swingable horizontally in unison with the actuating lever 35 through the operating shaft 36, the lock lever 56 is pin-and-slot connected, as at 57, to the lock 52 inwardly of the latters pivot to accommodate the relative movement therebe tween, and positively drives or swings the lock to release position on swinging of the adjoining actuating lever 35 in an unlocking direction. Like swinging is trans mitted through the actuating lever 35 of the operated coupler to the lock of the mated coupler by providing the actuating lever with front arms 58 projecting oppositely laterally from the operating shaft 36 and each having pivotally connected to its outer end a stub link 59. The stub links 59 project forwardly from the actuating lever 35 substantially parallel to each other and the longitudinal centerline and each is received forwardly in an aperture 60 extending longitudinally through a top flange 61 on the head 3 which upstands from the top wall 13 and backs the upper part of the heads front face 7.

One of the stub links 58 has projecting forwardly from its front end a locating pin 62 and the other has in its front end a forwardly opening socket 63, respectively, for being received in and receiving the socket and pin of the corresponding stub links of the other coupler. Once their end engagement is established through the pins 62, the stub links 59 of the two couplers form, with the front arms 58, a force parallelogram. Thus, in an unlocking operation, the swinging movement of the actuating lever 35 of the operated coupler is transmitted through the links 59 to and duplicated in the actuating lever of the other coupler, and through the operating shaft 36 and lock lever 56 of the latter, causes its locks 52 to swing to release position in unison with the lock of the operated coupler.

If the coupler had only to couple with a like or identical coupler, the pin 62 could be rigid with its stub link 58. However, it usually will be preferred that the coupler be coupleable with an unidentical but mating coupler, in which case the stub links 58 would find no aligned apertures in the front face of the other coupler. To meet this contingency, the stub links themselves never project beyond the front face 7 and the pin 62, which does so project, is a spring-pressed plunger capable of telescoping into its link within the front face. While the plunger 62 is so tele'scopable to permit the coupler to couple with and be uncoupled from an unidentical mating coupler, the spring force on the plunger-is such as substantially to prevent its telescoping in transmitting an unlocking force betwee the levers 35 of like couplers.

The above arrangement, in conjunction with the mounting of the unlocking cam 28 on the operating shaft 36 for horizotal swinging in unison with the actuating lever 35, enables the hooks 11 of duplicate mated couplers to be positively locked in coupling position and unlocked and swung backward in unison to uncoupling position in an uncoupling operation. Not only are the hooks 11 swingable in unison in an uncoupling operation, but the extent of the lateral overlap of their pulling faces 17 in coupling position intentionally is made greater than the permissive lateral movement of either face within the limits imposed on the swing of its hook by its unlocking cam 28 and a stop or abutment 64 on the inner wall 26 of its own or outer wall 23 of the other coupler or, as illustrated, both, with the outer wall abutment forwardly chamfered or beveled so as not to encroach upon the couplers horizontal gathering range. Thus, the couplers cannot uncouple unless both books are swung backward. Accordingly, even if the locks 52 were not over-center in locking position or in the absence of the locks, the couplers would remain coupled so long as one of the hooks stayed in its coupled position, thus preventing accidental uncoupling on breaking of one of the backing springs 24. However, if, as preferred, the locks 52 in locking position are over-center and backed by the stop surfaces 55 on the outboard side walls 23 of the heads 3, so long as either lock remains in that position, the hooks 11 cannot uncouple even if both of the backing springs should break.

The preferred over-center locking position of the hooks 52 does require them to be swung at least on center before the unlocking earns 28 come into play, to prevent the swinging of the locks to release position under force of the lock levers 56 from being opposed by the backward swinging of the hooks under force of the unlocking cams. The desired lag in the action of the hooks 11 on the locks 52 under force of the cams 28 ordinarily will be provided by play between the hooks and the locks or the cams, but, if not, can be provided by enlarging the socket 65 in each cam in which the intermediate square part 37 of its operating shaft 36 is received.

In a coupling operation in which the locks 52 are driven toward locking position by the force of the backing springs 24 applied to the unlocking earns 28 through the hooks 11, the kinetic energy imparted to or momentum of the locks will usually sufiice to take up the play and return them to locking position. Even so it usually will be desirable to provide some force for positively holding the locks in locking position. This holding force, which will also assist that of the backing springs 24 in returning the locks 52 to locking position, can be supplied by the return force on the piston rod 46 of the air cylinder 45 by eliminating the slot 51 in the clevis 47 at the expense of opposing the resistance of that force to manual uncoupling or by interposing a spring between the cylinder and its mounting bracket 49 normally to hold the cylinder in a position in which its piston rod 46, toward the clevis 47, is inclined rearwardly away from the operating shaft 36 so as to apply a force in a locking direction to the actuating lever 35 despite the slot 51. Alternately, a return spring can be applied to the actuating lever 35 or the lock lever 56 or directly to the lock 52. However, probably the best solution is that illustrated in which a round-nosed, spring-pressed plunger or catch 66, is depressed or tripped by a lug 67 on the lock lever as the lock approaches looking position and, by thereafter engaging and acting forwardly on the lock lever through the lug, both assists the backing springs 24 over the final increment of movement of the locks to locking position and effectively holds them in that position. With this arrangement it is practically impossible for mated couplers to uncouple accidentally, since they cannot, so long as any one of the backing springs 24 and catches 66 remains operative.

Adapted to couple so long as the tip 20 of the nose 19 of one coupler contacts the other coupler within an area bounded vertically by the vertical limits of the mouth of slot in the latters front face 7 and horizontally or laterally by the normal distance between the tip of the nose and the far lateral extremity of the mouth, the coupler has a gathering range of over 4% in. vertically and approximately 5 in. horizontally at each side of its center and in the latter respect far exceeds any standard knuckle type coupler. Not only does the improved coupler have an extended gathering range relative to a knuckle coupler but, when the coupler is uncoupled, the hook 11 is always in coupling position ready for coupling, a condition a knuckle matches only so long as it remains open. Bufiing and draft forces are transmitted along the couplers centerline, with the former applied over the entire front face 7 and the latter opposed by the short, large diameter, readily lubricatable hook pin 12. The centering of buffing and draft forces and their application to large are-as, in conjunction with the low bending moment of the hook relative to a knuckle, provide a higher strength-to-weight ratio than can be obtained in a tightlock coupler of the knuckle type, such as the Type H, and permit equivalent strength to be obtained with less weight.

The extended exposed areas of the coupler head 3 in conjunction with the positive alignment of a pair of couplers toward the end of their approach in a coupling operation, derived from cooperating centering pins 68 projecting forwardly from and sockets 69 in their front faces 7, make the imporved coupler an ideal mechanical coupler for mounting couplings for enabling the corresponding train service lines to be automatically connected and disconnected incident to the mechanical coupling and uncoupling of a pair of cars. Thus, as illustrated in more detail in the Cope patent, suitable fiuid couplings 70 for the air, and, if present, steam services lines, can be mounted in either or both of the heads top and bottom flanges 61 and 71, respectively, and one or more electric couplings 72 can be mounted either at the sides of the head 3, as in the Cope patent, or at the bottom of the head, as here shown.

In a coupling operation, a pair of the couplers 1 will couple automatically without outside control. As the couplers approach each other, the first engagement is through one or both of the books 11, which on entering the mouths 8 of the cavities 9, will wedge against the outer lateral extremities of the mouths and push each other aside. This wedging action bringing the confronting centen'ng pins 68 and sockets 69 into substantial alignment, the pins will enter the sockets and complete the alignment. Springing together under force of the backing springs 24 as the front faces 7 contact, the hooks 11, prior thereto, will have pushed the locks 52 rearwardly out of their way and, through the lock levers 56 connected thereto, swung or turned the parts of the operating mechanisms 34 in an unlocking or uncoupling direction. The inward springing of the hooks 11 as the faces 7 contact, by striking against the toes 31 and heels 32 of the unlocking earns 28, will turn the cams in a reverse or locking direction and, by the positive connection therebetween, drive the locks 52 back towards locking position with an assist from the catches 66 in the final increment of the swing. Having coupled any fluid and electric couplings 70 and 72 mounted on the head, incident to the mechanical coupling, the couplers and couplings thereafter will remain coupled until it is desired to uncouple the cars to which they are attached.

In an uncoupling operation, an uncoupling force applied either automatically through the air cylinder 45 or manually through the handle 44 of the operating mechanism 34 of one of the couplers, will swing the actuating lever 35 of that coupler in an unlocking or uncoupling direction and, through the links 59, operating shafts 36 and lock levers 56, first initiate the swing of the locks 52 toward release position and then cause the unlocking cams 28 to act against the hooks 11 and force them apart until their pulling faces 17 are disengaged. Thereupon, the couplers and any couplings 70 and 72 mounted thereon are free to separate.

From the above detailed description it will be apparent that there has been provided an improved automatic hook type coupler which not only is fully automatic in mechanically coupling and uncoupling a pair of cars but in process also enables any train service lines on the cars to be automatically connected and disconnected incident to the mechanical coupling and uncoupling. It should be understood that the described and disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention and that all modifications are intended to be included that do not depart from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head, said unlocking means in an uncoupling operation acting on said hook and a hook of a mated coupler engaged thereby for swinging said hooks to uncoupling position, and said lock means on coupling of said couplers locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, and means connected to and connecting said unlocking and lock means for moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release said mated coupler hook.

2. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head respectively for swinging said hook and a hook of a mated coupler to uncoupling position in an uncoupling operation and for locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, and means connected to and connecting said unlocking and lock means, said connected means in an uncoupling operation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release said mated coupler hook and in a coupling operation enabling a reverse movement of said unlocking means under force of said hooks to move said lock means to locking position.

3. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head, said unlocking means in an uncoupling operation acting on said hook and, a hook of a mated coupler engaged thereby for swinging said hooks to uncoupling position, and said lock means on coupling of said couplers locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, and means connected to and connecting said unlocking and lock means for causing said lock means to move out of locking position in advance of said hooks to uncoupling position under force of said unlocking means.

4. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head, said unlocking means in an uncoupling operation acting on said hook and a hook of a mated coupler engaged thereby for swinging said hooks to uncoupling position, and said lock means on coupling of said couplers locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, and means for moving said lock and unlocking means, said means connecting said unlocking and lock means and being connected to said lock means and lost-motion connected to said unlocking means for enabling said lock means to be moved out of locking position in advance of swinging of said hooks to uncoupling position under force of said unlocking means.

5. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head, said unlocking means in an uncoupling operation acting on said hook, and a hook of a mated coupler engaged thereby for swinging said hooks to uncoupling position, and said lock means on coupling of said couplers locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, and lever means drivably connected to each of said unlocking and lock means independently of the other thereof for uncoupling said couplers by moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release said mated coupler hook.

6. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head respectively for swinging said hook and a hook of a mated coupler to uncoupling position in an uncoupling operation and for locking said book of said mated coupler in coupling position, lever means drivably connected to said unlocking and lock means for uncoupling said couplers by moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release said mated coupler hook, and remotely controllable means mounted on said coupler for automatically operating said lever means to uncouple said couplers.

7. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, spring means acting between said head and hook for yieldably resisting swinging of said hook from coupling position, cam means pivotally mounted in said head and engaging said hook for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, said cam means in an uncoupling operation being pivoted in one direction and acting against said hook and a hook of a mated coupler for swinging both hooks to uncoupling position and thereafter being pivoted in the reverse direction by engagement with said first-named hook as said first-named hook is restored to coupling position by said spring means, lock means pivotally mounted in said head for pivoting between locking and release positions and in locking position engageable with said mated coupler hook for locking said hook in coupling position, and lever means mounted on said head and drivably connected to and connecting said cam and lock, said lever means in an uncoupling operation pivoting said cam in said one direction while pivoting said lock to release position and in a coupling operation enabling said lock to be pivoted automatically to locking position by pivoting of said cam in said reverse direction under force of said spring means.

8. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, spring means acting between said head and hook for yieldably resisting swinging of said hook from coupling position, an unlocking cam pivotally mounted in said head and engaging said hook for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, said cam in an uncoupling operation being pivoted in one direction and acting against said hook and a hook of a mated coupler for swinging both hooks to uncoupling position and thereafter being pivoted in the reverse direction by engagement with said firstnamed hook as said first-named hook is restored to coupling position by said spring means, a lock pivotally mounted in said head for pivoting between locking and release positions and in locking position engageable with said mated coupler hook for locking said hook in coupling position, a lever mounted on said head and drivably connected to and connecting said cam and lock, said lever in an uncoupling operation pivoting said cam in said one direction while pivoting said lock to release position and in a coupling operation enabling said lock to be pivoted automatically to locking position by pivoting of said cam in said reverse direction under force of said spring means, and remotely controllable means mounted on said first coupler for automatically operating said lever to uncouple said couplers.

9. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, spring means acting between said head and hook for yieldably resisting swinging of said hook from coupling position, an unlocking cam pivotally mounted in said head and engaging said hook for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, said cam in an uncoupling operation being pivoted in one direction and acting against said hook and a hook of a mated coupler for swinging both hooks to uncoupling position and thereafter being pivoted in the reverse direction by engagement with said firstnamed hook as said first-named hook is restored to coupling position by said spring means, lock means pivotally mounted in said head for pivoting between locking and release positions and in locking position engageable with said mated coupler hook for locking said hook in coupling position, manually operable lever means mounted on said head and drivably connected to and connecting said cam and lock, said manually operable lever means in an uncoupling operation pivoting said lock to release position and in a coupling operation enabling said lock to be pivoted automatically to locking position by pivoting of said cam in said reverse direction under force of said spring means, and automatic means connected to said lever means for selective automatic operation thereof in uncoupling said couplers.

10. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means movably mounted in said head respectively for swinging said hook and a hook of a mated coupler to uncoupling position in an uncoupling operation and for locking said hook of said mated coupler in coupling position, manually operable lever means connected to and connecting said unlocking and lock means, said lever means in an uncoupling operation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release said mated coupler hook and in a coupling operation enabling a reverse movement of said unlocking means under force of said hooks to move said lock means to locking position, and automatic means connected to said lever means for selective automatic operation thereof in uncoupling said couplers.

11. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, spring means acting between said head and hook for yieldably resisting swinging of said hook from coupling position, an unlocking cam pivotally mounted in said head and engaging said hook for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, said cam in an uncoupling operation being pivoted in one direction and acting against said hook and a hook of a mated coupler for swinging both hooks to uncoupling position and thereafter being pivoted in the reverse direction by engagement with said firstnamed hook as said first-named hook is restored to coupling position by said spring means, a lock pivotally mounted in said head and pivotable between an overcenter locking position and a release position and in locking position engageable with said mated coupler hook for locking said hook in coupling position, means on said head for urging said lock into and yieldably resisting pivoting thereof out of said locking position, and a lever mounted on said head and drivably connected to and connecting said cam and lock, said lever in an uncoupling operation pivoting said cam in said one direction while pivoting said lock to release position and in a coupling operation enabling said lock to be pivoted automatically to locking position by pivoting of said cam in said reverse direction under force of said spring means.

12. A pair of automatic couplers comprising a head on each coupler, a hook mounted in each head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means pivotally mounted in each head, each unlocking means in an uncoupling operation being adapted to act against and swing both couplers to uncoupling position, each lock means on coupling of said couplers being engageable in a locking position with the hook of the other coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, lever means on each head and connected to and connecting the unlocking and lock means thereof and on actuation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release the hook of the other coupler, and means operative when said couplers are coupled for actuating said lever means in unison on application of an actuating force to either thereof.

13. A pair of automatic couplers comprising a head on each coupler, a hook mounted in each head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means pivotally mounted in each head, each unlocking means in an uncoupling operation being adapted to act against and swing both couplers to uncoupling position, each lock means on coupling of said couplers being engageable in a locking position with the hook of the other coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, lever means on each head and connected to and connecting the unlocking and lock means thereof and on actuation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release the hook of the other coupler, and link means connecting said lever means when said couplers are coupled for actuating said lever means in unison on application of an actuating force to either thereof.

14. A pair of automatic couplers comprising a head on each coupler, a hook mounted in each head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means pivotally mounted in each head, each unlocking means in an uncoupling operation being adapted to act against and swing both couplers to uncoupling position, each lock means on coupling of said couplers being engageable in a locking position with the hook of the other coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, lever means on each head and connected to and connecting the unlocking and lock means thereof and on actuation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release the hook of the other coupler, link means connecting said lever means when said couplers are coupled for actuating said lever means in unison on application of an actuating force to either thereof, and means connected to the lever means of each coupler for selective automatic and manual operation thereof.

15. A pair of automatic couplers comprising a head on each coupler, a hook mounted in each head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, said hooks having pulling faces laterally overlapping and engaging in the coupling positions thereof on coupling of said couplers, the lateral overlap between said faces on said coupling being greater than the lateral movement of either thereof within the limits of swinging of its book for preventing uncoupling of said couplers by swinging of one of said hooks to uncoupling position, spring means acting between each head and the hook therein for resisting swinging of said hook from coupling position, an unlocking cam pivotally mounted in each head and engaging the hook therein for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, each unlocking cam in an uncoupling operation being pivotable to act against and swing both hooks to coupling position, a lock mounted in each head for pivoting between locking and release positions and in locking position engageable with the hook of the other coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, yieldable means in each head for urging the look therein into and resisting pivoting thereof out of locking position, a lever on each 7 head and connected to and connectng the unlocking cam and lock therein and actuatable for uncoupling said couplers by pivoting the connected cam to swing the hooks to uncoupling position while pivoting the lock means to release position, each lever in an uncoupling operation enabling a reverse pivoting of the connected cam under the spring force applied through the hook engaged thereby to move said lock means automatically to locking position, and means operative on coupling of said couplers for connecting said lever means for operation in unison on actuation of either thereof.

16. An automatic coupler comprising a head, a hook mounted in said head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, said hook on coupling of said coupler with a mating coupler engaging and laterally overlapping a hook thereof, the lateral overlap between said hooks in the coupling position thereof being of such extent as to prevent uncoupling of said couplers by swinging of one of said hooks to uncoupling position, spring means acting bet-ween said head and hook for resisting swinging of said hook out of coupling position, an unlocking cam pivotally mounted in said head and engaging said hook for normally holding said hook in coupling position under force of said spring means, a look mounted in said head for pivoting between locking and release positions and in locking position engageable with a hook of a mated coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, means on said head for yieldably resisting pivoting of said lock out of locking position, a lever pivotally mounted on said head and connected to and connecting said cam and lock for pivoting said cam to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while pivoting said lock to release position and enabling pivoting of said cam in a reverse direction under force of said spring means applied through said hook to pivot said lock automatically to locking position, and link means connected to said lever and operative on coupling of said coupler with a like coupler for enabling the levers of both couplers to operate in unison on actuation of either thereof.

17. A pair of automatic couplers comprising a head on each coupler, a hook mounted in each head for swinging between coupling and uncoupling positions, unlocking and lock means pivotally mounted in each head, each unlocking means in an uncoupling operation being adapted to act against and swing both couplers to uncoupling position, each lock means on coupling of said couplers being engageable in a locking position with the hook of the other coupler for locking said hook in coupling position, leve'r means on each headand connected to and connecting the unlocking and lock means thereof and on actuation moving said unlocking means to swing said hooks to uncoupling position while moving said lock means to a position to release the hook of the other coupler stop means on said heads and engageable by said hooks when said couplers are coupled for preventing uncoupling of said couplers except when both hooks are unlocked and swung to uncoupling position, and means operative when said couplers are coupled for actuating said lever means in unison on application of an actuating force to either thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,476,429 12/1923 Tomlinson 213-l04 1,564,400 12/1925 Averill 2l3100 1,580,868 4/1926 Tomlinson 21-314 2,214,036 9/1940 Van Dorn 21376 2,935,211 5/1960 Metzger 2l3l00 DRAYTON E. HOFFMAN, Primary Examiner. 

